Hi Borthers! I'm working on a new list and plan to use one Stormraven as aerial support and ocasional transport of troops (not termies just troops).What is the optimal loadout for this? Initially I was thinking TL MM + TL LasCan for some good ol' anti tank, but then it pccurred to me that a good aerial support craft should sport TL AssCan+ TL MM and Hurricane Bolters + Psyboltammo. Expensive yes but a major threat to most flyers and great for thining up hordes and MCs alike. What do you think? Effective, utter crap? Another loadout perhaps?

The TL AssCan + TL MM and hurricane bolters + psybolt ammo is probably the most effective load out as far as number of shots per shooting phase. However, I really think it's not worth the cost considering that there are so many things out there that can easily shoot a SR down. It all boils down to how many points you're giving up for the rest of your list.

I always used the SR as a gunship w/ TWLMM and TWLLC. These are 2 weapons we don't really have much access to. So the SR becomes a dedicated tank hunter or flyer hunter.

I just rely on more psycannons for my infantry to deal w/ hordes. Just my two cents

_________________"Though we face the power of hell, and death is at our side, we fear not, for the Emperor is with us through it all. If we live, we live for the Emperor. If we die, we die for the Emperor. So whether we live or die, we are the Emperor's. We are Grey Knights and this is why we came to be." --Grandmaster Rivan

"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle." --Sun Tzu (from ancient Earth)

It used to be effective for the lists I run. However, I haven't played in such a long time that I'm not up to date with all the new stuff out there.

Hopefully someone with more/current playing experience can chime in.

_________________"Though we face the power of hell, and death is at our side, we fear not, for the Emperor is with us through it all. If we live, we live for the Emperor. If we die, we die for the Emperor. So whether we live or die, we are the Emperor's. We are Grey Knights and this is why we came to be." --Grandmaster Rivan

"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle." --Sun Tzu (from ancient Earth)

I put the missile launcher on mine and use it as an interceptor/long range anti-tank/anti-psyker.

It's a lot more dangerous these days to try to insert troops on a target. If I'm really planning on doing so in a high point game I put Justicar Thawn inside and fly straight at the objective. Even if it crashes and burns Thawn should still be crawling around the drop zone.

For a troop transport you really want it to take out lots of infantry, so prob Heavy Bolter, Assault Cannon, Psyammo and Hurricane Bolters are your best bet (maybe take Multi-Melta for some anti-tank instead of Heavy Bolter).

For an anti-air / anti-tank role I think T-L Multi-Melta, T-L Assault Cannon and Psyammo is best.

The Missile Launcher is expensive for what it can do...

I'm surprised the stormraven doesn't come with Torrent Flamers to be honest. How cool would that be!!!

The missile launcher is definitely overpriced. It's just a matter of preference that I want the option of long range AA/AT or the ability to combine it with the psystrikes for 4 blast templates.

Generally, when I drop off troops they are usually backed up by interceptors and capable of killing the opposition right in front of the raven. The raven is better off using it's manoeuvrability to get some flank shots on vehicles/ light infantry half way across the board.That said, whenever I drop a raven into hover mode I get a feeling of absolute dread.

I would say that with glancing hits being also able to wreck vehicles, rate of fire instead of quality of fire is a good way to go. More shots is always nice and gives you the felxibility to shoot at different threats every turn. However quality of fire is always a bit more accurate. But still I am concerned about Wave Seprents rendering the MM/LC Raven useless, since they can shrug off a pen to a glance with a 2+. While glances are only eliminated by a 5+. Right now I'm more inclined to use the Crusader Raven over the MM/LC, though a Plasma Cannon is always nice to have too.

I am inclined to use the SR for tank hunting with TLLC and MM because as stated already these are areas in which we are limited.

But having the TLAC , MM, hurricane bollter set up with a dread and CC orientated squad is a super tastes CC focused option

_________________+++"There is nothing in the arcane and blasphemous arsenal of the forces of Chaos that can compare to faith. With the power of faith, our weapons become shining instruments of deliverance that can cleave the mightiest daemon in twain. With the power of faith, our minds appear as slivers of pure agony to the daemon, driving into the wretched forms of those who would dare stand before us. With the power of faith, our words become commands that cause the daemon to cower and cringe in terror. I could meet my enemies unarmed without a shred of fear in my chest, for I know that the Emperor watches over me and guides my hand. So let them come. We shall show them what the power of faith can do."+++ (Brother Captain Stern)

Santa has been good to me this year and brought me a stormraven! Now, it's not the best option when playing Draigowing but rounds out my 1850 list nicely and i have yet to find players in my area that play competitively so who cares about optimized lists?

The loadout discussion is interesting but i have one other question for which i did not want to open a new thread. I, as most people, run Coteaz so whats preventing me from putting a 3 warrior acolytes in the raven, just to get another scoring unit in there?

None at all. If it's just a 3 warrior acolyte unit, then it's worth the risk of the SR blowing up since the unit is cheap

_________________"Though we face the power of hell, and death is at our side, we fear not, for the Emperor is with us through it all. If we live, we live for the Emperor. If we die, we die for the Emperor. So whether we live or die, we are the Emperor's. We are Grey Knights and this is why we came to be." --Grandmaster Rivan

"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle." --Sun Tzu (from ancient Earth)

_________________"Though we face the power of hell, and death is at our side, we fear not, for the Emperor is with us through it all. If we live, we live for the Emperor. If we die, we die for the Emperor. So whether we live or die, we are the Emperor's. We are Grey Knights and this is why we came to be." --Grandmaster Rivan

"It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle." --Sun Tzu (from ancient Earth)

I'm thinking of trying a close range dreadnought on the raven. In a particularly hot LZ it can just drop out the back Correnus said, but if I switch to hover and get it launching out with a terminator squad into an assault it should be fairly glorious. I'll probably make up a heavy flamer and multi-melta arm and see how they both fare.

Dropping in to smash things in CC is fun, and fits well with my love of Mordrak lists.You could also consider dropping an anti-tank dread and shaking things up as you take shots at rear and side armour!!!

_________________+++"There is nothing in the arcane and blasphemous arsenal of the forces of Chaos that can compare to faith. With the power of faith, our weapons become shining instruments of deliverance that can cleave the mightiest daemon in twain. With the power of faith, our minds appear as slivers of pure agony to the daemon, driving into the wretched forms of those who would dare stand before us. With the power of faith, our words become commands that cause the daemon to cower and cringe in terror. I could meet my enemies unarmed without a shred of fear in my chest, for I know that the Emperor watches over me and guides my hand. So let them come. We shall show them what the power of faith can do."+++ (Brother Captain Stern)